Aukaha Kakau-Dickson - Māori are foreign to their own land

Aukaha Dickson, 15 year old tauira from Te Wharekura o Māuao has landed a place as a finalist and is representing Mataatua in the Ngā Manu Kōrero Secondary School Speech Competition, happening this week in Palmerston North. The topic and message of his korero is "Māori are foreign to their own land." and uses his speech to encourage whānau to pick up the wero and learn Te Reo Māori. The timing couldn’t be better as it coincides with Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori/Māori Language Week.

Aukaha said to Te Ao Māori news earlier this year that "My spirit is calm, and I'm not trying to sound arrogant, but I believe in my skills. I came here to complete this task and that's what is important to me."

Aukaha is definitely looking to win and reach the ultimate level, he stated "That is another reason I took part in this competition, to get to that level and be able to say, 'I've made it to that level, I have accomplished what I came here to do'“